Wallabies vs. NZ 1st Bledisloe

[Speculator]

Not overly confident that the Wallabies will win this weekend with two of our three top players out; Gregan and Rogers.

If NZ win it will lift the market on Monday (there that's the sharemarket connection).

If Gregan were playing I would have no doubt about the outcome.

Still if the Wallabies lose at least I'll get a laugh out of the NZ native tongue poking and clapping of thighs dance (hakah) before the start.

Still, on form you would have to say the Wallabies are looking pretty good. And your best player is out - MacCaw. As long as Larkham stands deep and avoids getting head highed by your hit man Collins I'm cautiously optimistic. Tuqiri is a match for your Rocko-****o and Mortlock the best outside centre in the game. Some concerns about a back-up half back for us and looking for a big game from Samo (he must be good to bench George Smith).

Will be a great spectacle whatever happens - except the hakah and NZ national anthem.

[SEC]

The politically correct version of the NZ anthem they drone out at these events is dreadful isn't it? No-one knows the words to the Maori verse.

In joyful strains then let us sing
Advance Australia Fare!

SEC

[Stock Man]

Speculator - suggest that you visit; www.kiwirugby.com It's a fantastic site for one-eyed, subjective views. Plenty of Aussies there also. You should feel right at home. However, by your posting, I get the feeling you really dont know too much about rugby.....

[Placebo]

"God of Nations Smell our feet
We're all watching Shortland Street
Hear our voices Tweet Tweet Tweet..."

Something like that?:D:D

Bring back Buck

[Gryffyn]

Hopefully they'll get the girl who did the Oz anthem for the netball back. Nothing like humming the words to an awful anthem. And what's with droning waltzing matilda these days for the Oz home games - so intimidated by the Haka they have to sing about a some guy who wants to shag a sheep.

Go the ABs

[Placebo]

His name is Andy, and he is a cannibal.

"Andy sang Andy watched, Andy waited while his Billy boiled"

[Gryffyn]

How 'bout posting all the word for us to have a look at?

Following not good for ABs...

[Gryffyn]

Robinson adds to Henry's test woes

15.07.2004
By WYNNE GRAY
As the All Blacks contemplate another test without Richie McCaw they may also have to steel themselves for the absence of rugged lock Keith Robinson from Saturday's opening Bledisloe Cup test.

Robinson never looked happy in his limited time at training yesterday. He has problems with his back.

After changing he walked solemnly and stiffly to the All Black bus.

Simon Maling took his place in the practice test pack where Marty Holah was confirmed as a starter, with vice-captain McCaw officially ruled out because of the continuing after-effects of concussion.

Since the England test series, Robinson has been treated for a knee cartilage injury. Fluid has been drained regularly from the inflamed tissue.

But yesterday it was another injury, trouble with his back, which curtailed Robinson's involvement.

"I've been to see the doctor, I've been in to see him - they are hopeful but not certain," coach Graham Henry said. "We have to see how he comes through the next few days."

Several years ago Robinson had surgery to sort out some disc problems, an injury which flared up again during the Super 12 and forced him out of several matches.

The recurrence of that injury yesterday may have Henry and his selectors rueing their decision to retain Maling in the squad instead of Ali Williams, or at least not taking the Auckland lock to Wellington as cover.

Maling is an accurate man in the air and solid in the scrum, but away from those areas he does not seem as robustly effective as other tight-five forwards.

Some of that thinking, the need to cover for Robinson, Williams' potential and his proximity in Auckland, seemed to be behind the decision to draft Williams into the squad as cover for the Pacific Islanders test.

However, when the same squad was retained to advance to the Tri-Nations series, the only back-up player chosen was wing Rico Gear.

When the All Blacks turned up for training yesterday in bleak conditions at Newtown, it was apparent McCaw would miss the Wallaby test.

He was in casual gear, armed with a video camera to record training. When the session was over, Henry confirmed McCaw's omission.

"Not playing," the coach said in answer to a question about McCaw's health.

"It is just an on-going frustration. I feel sorry for the boy, it is just not coming right.

"It's quite bizarre really. He is feeling rough, very thick in the head and does not feel like he can play rugby.

"There is nothing we can do. He is desperate to play, but he is not right, so Marty [Holah] is playing."

Craig Newby, who was flown in on Tuesday, moves into the reserves. It could have been different for Newby as well because he was flagged for foul play in club rugby last Saturday, but the referee chose to take no action.

The selectors and medical staff must also be lamenting their decision to play McCaw against Argentina, a fortnight after he was subbed in the opening test against England after colliding with team-mate Xavier Rush.

McCaw could not recall much of that test.

The possible loss of two senior forwards did not help Henry's humour after an untidy training.

There were too many errors, nothing like the clinical workout he wanted, although he conceded the cold and wind could have been factors.

[Gryffyn]

Robinson adds to Henry's test woes

15.07.2004
By WYNNE GRAY
As the All Blacks contemplate another test without Richie McCaw they may also have to steel themselves for the absence of rugged lock Keith Robinson from Saturday's opening Bledisloe Cup test.

Robinson never looked happy in his limited time at training yesterday. He has problems with his back.

After changing he walked solemnly and stiffly to the All Black bus.

Simon Maling took his place in the practice test pack where Marty Holah was confirmed as a starter, with vice-captain McCaw officially ruled out because of the continuing after-effects of concussion.

Since the England test series, Robinson has been treated for a knee cartilage injury. Fluid has been drained regularly from the inflamed tissue.

But yesterday it was another injury, trouble with his back, which curtailed Robinson's involvement.

"I've been to see the doctor, I've been in to see him - they are hopeful but not certain," coach Graham Henry said. "We have to see how he comes through the next few days."

Several years ago Robinson had surgery to sort out some disc problems, an injury which flared up again during the Super 12 and forced him out of several matches.

The recurrence of that injury yesterday may have Henry and his selectors rueing their decision to retain Maling in the squad instead of Ali Williams, or at least not taking the Auckland lock to Wellington as cover.

Maling is an accurate man in the air and solid in the scrum, but away from those areas he does not seem as robustly effective as other tight-five forwards.

Some of that thinking, the need to cover for Robinson, Williams' potential and his proximity in Auckland, seemed to be behind the decision to draft Williams into the squad as cover for the Pacific Islanders test.

However, when the same squad was retained to advance to the Tri-Nations series, the only back-up player chosen was wing Rico Gear.

When the All Blacks turned up for training yesterday in bleak conditions at Newtown, it was apparent McCaw would miss the Wallaby test.

He was in casual gear, armed with a video camera to record training. When the session was over, Henry confirmed McCaw's omission.

"Not playing," the coach said in answer to a question about McCaw's health.

"It is just an on-going frustration. I feel sorry for the boy, it is just not coming right.

"It's quite bizarre really. He is feeling rough, very thick in the head and does not feel like he can play rugby.

"There is nothing we can do. He is desperate to play, but he is not right, so Marty [Holah] is playing."

Craig Newby, who was flown in on Tuesday, moves into the reserves. It could have been different for Newby as well because he was flagged for foul play in club rugby last Saturday, but the referee chose to take no action.

The selectors and medical staff must also be lamenting their decision to play McCaw against Argentina, a fortnight after he was subbed in the opening test against England after colliding with team-mate Xavier Rush.

McCaw could not recall much of that test.

The possible loss of two senior forwards did not help Henry's humour after an untidy training.

There were too many errors, nothing like the clinical workout he wanted, although he conceded the cold and wind could have been factors.

[lambton]

The "who'll come a waltzing Matilda with me" I think means who's goin to be the sheila for the nite. You see in those days blokes even outnumbered the sheep. Shagging sheep came later about the time that the first boatload of ugly sheilas arrived from the mother country. The former being more attractive.

go the AB's

[willy_wonker]

How come all the Wallabies Captains have no hair on their head?

Do Aussies only pick Captains with no hair? :D

[Futurz]

Its really quite ironic how Australians' feel the need to sing about a down and out hobo who is contemplating drowning himself in a stinking bog that they call a billabong.[?]

If only more Australians would follow his lead [:0]

[Cooper]

Gryffyn... Robinson's a good enforcer but prone to giving away too many penalties... bring on "Donk" Maling.
Humble pie served hot or cold speculator?

[Gryffyn]

Han't given away that many pens in recent matxhes. ABs have him sorted. Even his chiefs performance this year was way better.

Maling will be interesting.

[Cooper]

You're right Gryff, unfortunately I'm from Otago... parochialism, and all that...

[willy_wonker]

Eddie is just as bad as Clive and the game hasnt even started yet.

Is Eddie preparing the Aussie public for a lost?

[miner]

"I have no doubt that one day Australia and NZ will be one. Who knows, maybe one day we will all sing the Australian anthem before the Wallabies perform the haka".

Best you go wash your mouth out with soap Cantab[:0][V][}:)];).

Cheers
Miner

[Gryffyn]

Nothing wrong with a bit of local prode Cooper :-) I'm a Hurricanes man myself - obvious provence to make a leader from wouldn't you say ;)

Eddie is very effective at winding us up that's for sure - pretty smart play on his part.

[foodee]

I thought that was GG talking to the ref through eddie.;)

[whiteheron]

Speculator

Your sharemarket is a better performer than your rugby team
I suggest that you keep to that (a proven winner)

[srotherh]

Posted by Cooper

quote:You're right Gryff, unfortunately I'm from Otago... parochialism, and all that...

Cooper .First name is not Greg is it??;)
Anyway scored two tickets for the game tonight so by the look of the weather this morning will wrap up in a few Rums and go along and get a wet a*rse .

[willy_wonker]

Is going to be a good game tonight and Willy will be p_i_s_s_ed with his mates before the game starts :D

Love to see more of the Island Team. Give the island team a few more years and they will be a threat to us all.

[Major von Tempsky]

I predict that the Test tonight will fail to settle the issue and that there will therefore be future Tests.
What we need is continued accelerated erosion of the Australian mainland, intensified drought, plagues of locusts and cane toads, global warming and continued mountain building of the Southern Alps.
Oh, and Mr Latham as PM.

THE KING says what was the result, I went to sleep.:D:D

[Gryffyn]

Good one MVT.

Dour but emphatic win to the ABs.

[foodee]

Special delivery to The KING

Oz[B)][B)][B)]

Forecast for Sydney Oz [B)][B)]

cheers

[Cooper]

Srotherh: Unfortunately, no first name isn't Greg, wouldn't mind his salary...
Good win to the AB's, Wallabies looking leaderless (despite having the likes of Mortlock, Larkham etc). will be an interesting game over there with Gregan back on a dry track, but I'd back the AB's to take that one too... Maling didn't do too badly...

[Gryffyn]

Yup - I think our three-quarters will still be slicker and if McCaw is back then we'll get even better ball to them in conditions that will favour us.

Conditions last night would have been good for a Merts to come on and settle things in the last 20 - Evans was never going to be a real option. Good to see Hollah play a blinder. A see an opportunity some day to play him and Ritchie and the same time.

[Gryffyn]

Anyone watch the PI v yarpie game? Lauiki (sp?) definetly an AB of the future with Z or mongrel factor without Flavells idiot factor.

And waht about sivi... on te wing? Will be good to import some depth to the outside backs as we look short without Joe or Dougie.

[Gryffyn]

PS - Dougie likely to include a clause in contracts that he doesn't have to play in rain. Most girls I was with said he looked like a wet poodle and he is very image concious.

[Cooper]

Fielding two open sides of the calibre of holah and Mccaw at once would be brilliant... just to see how it goes... it's a pity that someone as talented and dedicated as holah has to sit in a tracksuit for most games... maybe the injuries to the front line locks will result in holah being moved to 6...
Sivivatu and Lauaki both deserve AB jerseys but I'd rather see the PI side becoming a regular feature without it being a constant AB trial for the team... we can do without them, the island teams can not.

[Gryffyn]

Hope the PIs get their tour of UK next year. Best hope them is that they become the Lions of the Sth Pacific and as such still get to play for the their home countries - NZ incl if that is where they are resident.

[Gryffyn]

AB brains trust being very careful with injuries which is good to see. Most important games over already and world cup a long way away so they can take it easy and try other players rather than risk their A team.

[willy_wonker]

quote:Originally posted by THE KING

THE KING says what was the result, I went to sleep.:D:D


The result was that we still have the cup.:)

Any predictions for the SA vs AB game? Can the springboks bounce back or have the springs gone from the boks?

[Placebo]

As a member of the "silent majority" (i.e. those who have to watch the match on telly cos the tickets are rare as hens' teeth) I have been impressed by the ABs this year.

Their ability to win matches
Their ability to take (and give) biff

But most of all, I've been impressed by their off-field performances and the investment and strategy that has gone into reviving the All Blacks brand. Does everyone remember the fallout from the World Cup? The reputation and public standing of the ABs were in the toilet. Nobody wanted to know them. They were shunning their sponsors and thumbing their noses at the rugby public. And in return, we didn't really want to know them.

But you can see from the barrage of advertising (all featuring cornerstone "stars" like Spencer, JoRoko and Kees M) from the likes of big-time backers like Coke and Ford that a helluva big effort is now going into rebuilding that image. And they have an amiable and up-front leadership in Henry (who also features in a terrific Philips ad) and Umaga who are available and popular with the media. And the public. And that is a huge turnaround in just nine months.

So hats of to the NZRU. Brand rebuild of the year in my book. :D

[Cooper]

Full agreeance Placebo, well said.
The boks have struggled vs the ABs over the past few years, and given a home game, I'd say the ABs will do it at a trot.
I have been wrong (seriously) in the past though...

[Gryffyn]

New mgmt, new image and winning never hurts.

[miner]

Tis going to be a black day for SA:D,see the PM was in a wee hurry to get to the ausy game[:0][8D].